Monday, April 2 – Thursday, April 5
The General, Steamboat Bill Jr., Three Ages, College
In an age when CGI and digital technology do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to cinematic spectacle and peril, seeing comic genius Buster Keaton ply his craft in four of his best silent features (all with 2K digital restorations, no less) is nothing short of essential. —Tony Kay
Grand Illusion Cinema
Tuesday, April 3 – Sunday, April 8
Ride the Cyclone
Ride the Cyclone, about six high school choir kids stuck in a weird carnival purgatory, has a lot going for it: It’s fun, it’s original and it’s delivered by a top-notch cast. It’s maybe kinda vulgar for traditional musical theatre lovers, but I’m all for shows that realize musicals can be whatever the hell they want. Runs through May 20. —Gemma Wilson
ACT Theatre
Wednesday, April 4
Docu-Commentary Live
Local comedians Travis Nelson and Chase Mayers are both soft-spoken dudes with active imaginations, making them good candidates for the funny-talking-over-a-movie genre of performance. They kick off their new series with Jim & Andy, the documentary about Jim Carrey’s transformation into Andy Kaufman for the biopic Man on the Moon, adding their own narration atop an already multilayered subject. —Brett Hamil
Bad Jimmy’s Brewing
Thursday, April 5
Art Walk Awards
After eight years of Art Walk Awards, we’re bringing them back revamped—bigger and with more art than ever. Now scheduled to take place biannually, we’ve invited an additional guest judge for a total of 12 nominated artists. Swing by after the First Thursday art walk and dance, enjoy art and adult beverages and vote for your favorite work. —Amanda Manitach
AXIS
Thursday, April 5
First Thursday Art Walk
A number of artists who’ve graced City Arts’ pages have significant solo shows this month: Be sure to catch Natalie Krick’s APOCALYPSTICK—a bunch of eye-popping, sexy, twisted photographs—at Glass Box Gallery and Amanda Kirkhuff’s dreamy, hyperrealistic paintings at 4Culture Gallery. Finally, the never-not-fun Party Hat offers work by artists who haven’t shown in town before, with a fresh take on that oft-tired trope of “The New Seattle.” —Amanda Manitach
Various Locations
Thursday, April 5
Burien UFO Festival
The little town that could is throwing it’s annual celebration of all things alien. There’s a costume contest (humans and dogs), notable speakers, personal stories of alien encounters, a showing of short alien-inspired films, and a Cure cover band (cuz why not?!). Oddball neighborhood fests are the best, and they don’t get much weirder than this. —Dan Paulus
Olde Burien
Friday, April 6
Band in Seattle: Industrial Revelation, the Flavr Blue
It’s a strong-ass bill as is, what with jazz polyglots Industrial Revelation and tasty electro-soul/hip-hop throwdowns from the Flavr Blue. Even better: free beer, a space that resembles your cool uncle’s velour bachelor pad, and the possibility of being on TV. —Tony Kay
Victory Studios
Friday, April 6
Fernando Pérez: A Song of Dismantling Book Launch
Poet and Bellevue College assistant professor of English Fernando Perez debuts his book, A Song of Dismantling, which employs formal fragmentation to explore the effects of migration on relationships between people of different generations. He’ll be reading in the fine company of poet Jane Wong; poet, MC and performance artist Naa Akua; and the poetry Editor for RED INK: An International Journal of Indigenous Literature, Bojan Louis. —Sarah Galvin
Hugo House
Friday, April 6
Outside In Seattle premiere
Lynn Shelton is a master of elevating the stories of everyday people with drama, dignity and humor. Her latest film, Outside In, follows a young man (Jay Duplass) recently released from prison, who returns to his small town of Granite Falls, Wash., to seek out a former teacher (Edie Falco). With a score by Andrew Bird, this looks like another gut punch/warm embrace from Shelton. —Jonathan Zwickel
SIFF Uptown
Saturday, April 7
Jinkx Monsoon & Major Scales: The Ginger Snapped
I’m preaching to the Drag-fan choir here, but consider this your reminder to nevermiss a chance to see Jinkx Monsoon work a room. In this show, Monsoon and co-conspirator Major Scales are just showcasing music from new album The Ginger Snapped, “a ’90s garage band throwback with drag queen style,” until Jinkx freaks that her best years are behind her and Major has to prevent a total diva meltdown. —Gemma Wilson
The Triple Door
Saturday, April 7
Princess Angeline Tea
It’s spring in Duwamish territory—time to observe the season with the people who observed it here first. Every year, the Duwamish tribe hosts a spring tea ceremony in honor of Princess Angeline, daughter of Chief Seattle and great-great-grand aunt of Cecile Hansen, current matriarch and chairwoman of the Tribe. Sip on Native and English teas and nibble on tasty snacks at the Duwamish Longhouse, the tribe’s community center, open to everyone. —Jonathan Zwickel
Duwamish Longhouse
Sunday, April 8
PR for Poets: a talk by Jeannine Hall Gailey
Poet and PR for Poets author Jeannine Hall Gailey addresses that ubiquitous writers’ question: How do I get my work out there? Topics include what to expect when your manuscript is accepted, planning a book launch and utilizing social media for self-promotion, plus crucial issues not addressed in the average publicity lesson, such as how to promote a book if you’re an introvert, or have a chronic illness or disability. —Sarah Galvin
Open Books
